YORK accountants Garbutt & Elliott have advised a Thai restaurant group on a £9m cash injection.

The team at Garbutt & Elliot has been working with the Thai Leisure Group (TLG), which currently operates 11 restaurants and four cocktail bars across the north of England and Scotland, following funding from Santander to support expansion plans.

This multi-million investment will support not only the group’s expansion of its fine dining restaurants, Chaophraya, but in particular the business’ extensive roll-out plans for the newly-launched street-food brand, Thaikhun.

TLG is co-owned by Martin Stead and Kim Kaewraikhot, who is also chef director. The business, which has reported like for like sales growth of nine per cent over the last year, is one of the fastest growing in its sector.

Richard Feltham, corporate finance partner at Garbutt & Elliott, said: “We are delighted to have advised Martin and Kim on the finance-raising process and indeed as a firm, acted as advisers to TLG since their opening in Leeds.

“There was significant interest from a range of funders in supporting this business on the next stage of its growth, but ultimately the Santander support was compelling.

“This growth capital funding is testament to the market opportunity for TLG, strength of its management team and the exciting roll-out proposition to capture the Thai market in the UK.”